How One NYC Co-op Stopped Playing Whack-a-Mole with Water Leaks

Board members struggling with constant water damage need to hear this: Jerry Kestenbaum, CEO of the technology and service provider Aware Buildings, explains how one 220-unit luxury co-op in Sutton Place transformed from having staff literally walk hallways listening for leak alarms to deploying a sophisticated wireless sensor network that catches problems in real time.Learn how this building invested $85,000 upfront to eliminate the chaos of battery-operated sensors that died at the worst moments, and discover the surprising connectivity solutions that work when cellular signals fail and running new cables isn't an option. Beyond immediate leak detection, Kestenbaum explains the critical insurance implications that could save your building from being dropped by carriers entirely. With water damage claims forcing insurers to abandon "leaky buildings," this technology isn't just about convenience anymore — it's about maintaining insurability and competitive rates in an increasingly difficult market. Habitat's Emily Myers conducts the interview.Thanks for listening. Subscribe to this podcast for more stories on how New York co-ops and condos have solved a myriad of problems. Brought to you by Habitat Magazine, the "bible" that hundreds of board directors turn to every day!